Buffalo Theater: Reza play from Second Generation takes a turn from ‘civility’

By Nathan Andrew Miller
(All photos by Eric Tronolone Photography)

Yasmina Reza, the French playwright, novelist,and actress, struck Broadway success with her signature satire and naturalism.

I’ve long admired her work, and the work of her translator, Christopher Hampton, for bringing real people into situations of conflict that push them to their extremes. Reza made her Broadway premiere with Art, which debuted in 1998 and starred Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina, won the Tony Award for Best Play and ran for 600 performances. She followed her success with God of Carnage, which premiered on Broadway in 2009 starring Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden, who won the Tony award for Best Leading Actress in a Play.

The play centers around two couples, played in the Second Generation production at Shea’s Smith Theatre by real-life couples Steve and Kelly Copps and Kristin Bentley and Chris Avery. They have come together in the name of “civility;” Alan and Annette’s son Benjamin struck Veronica and Michael’s son Henry with a stick, knocking out two teeth. Veronica (Kelly Copps) is a social activist who is writing a book about Darfur and exudes an air of superiority. She and her husband Michael (Steve Copps) have called Alan (Avery) and Annette (Bentley) to their home to resolve the problem with their sons. It’s clear that their “civility” is sure to dissolve — and dissolve it does. Throughout the 75-minute intermissionless play, we watch as walls come down, insults are thrown and nasty truths come out.

As Veronica, Kelly Copps commands the stage with a put-on air; she’s a woman who values her intelligence, and probably feels she’s got the most in any room. Her husband Michael is used to backing her up, but he’s no doormat.

Unfortunately, things begin to dissolve in the “negotiation” when Alan’s work as a lawyer means that he’s constantly answering his cell phone. And Annette is not as empowered as Veronica — she manages the household and the money, but she’s very stuck.

And then what could be a small discussion about the consequences for the boy’s injury becomes a contest in every aspect — the subtle barbs become less subtle, and then there are out and out accusations, aspersions and in some cases physical altercations. The fight direction by Adriano Gatto and the stage direction by Robyn Lee blend effortlessly together, giving all four actors moments to shine as physical comedians while landing their vicious verbal attacks.

Lee’s direction brings these four Buffalo veterans into the world of the play with aplomb, very focused, paced well, and rooted in reality even when emotions are heightened.

While it’s very clear that this is an excellent vehicle for SGT co-founders Copps and Bentley and their husbands, making it easy to program into their season, there’s a big difference between picking a piece you like and executing it.

Under Lee’s direction, and featuring excellent performances from all four peformers, the production is more than just executed. It’s fast-moving, laugh out loud comedy, and it’s an excellent realization of Reza’s vision.

Although there are a few moments in the text that make it clearly a piece from the early 2000s (and the program notes that it is 2005 in the world of the play) Second Generation’s God of Carnage will make you laugh, turn your stomach and make you think, all in 75 minutes.

The plays runs at Shea’s Smith Theatre on Thursdays-Sundays through March 15.

Nathan Andrew Miller has a BFA in Theatre Performance and a BA in English from Niagara University and has been reviewing theater in WNY since 2015. Nate is also an actor and director at various local theaters.